Banned in Boston

In 2006, Catholic Charities of Boston, one of the nation's oldest adoption agencies, announced that it was getting out of the adoption business. Responding to the 2003 ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in favor of homosexual marriage, Catholic Charities stated that it could not in good conscience assist homosexual couples in adopting children. Maggie Gallagher summarized the fateful decision of the court: "The majority ruled that only animus against gay people could explain why anyone would want to treat opposite-sex and same-sex couples differently."

By so ruling, the Court required that religious organizations such as Catholic Charities treat homosexual couples exactly the same as heterosexual couples. The decision came as a shock to those who assumed that the First Amendment to the Constitution protected the right of churches and religious organizations to uphold their moral beliefs. Gallagher presents the views of various legal scholars as to how the movement for homosexual marriage will impact religious freedom. She quotes Anthony Picarello, general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who states frankly, "The impact will be severe and pervasive. This is going to affect every aspect of church-state relations."

This pamphlet is a must read for concerned citizens seeking an insightful analysis of the threat to religious liberty posed by homosexual marriage.